Season outlook story -- click here

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,086 (2000-01 total, includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 208 maroon, Pantone Warm Gray 9)
Stadium: Edor Nelson Field (Astroturf) (renamed from Anderson-Nelson Field in 2001)
Capacity: 2,000
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
President: Dr. William V. Frame
Athletic Director: Paul Grauer (men), Marilyn Florian (women)
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249

History
First year of football: 1926
All-time bowl/play-off record: 1-1
Years in post-season play: 1 (1997)
Last postseason appearance: 1997 / Result: 1-1
All-time record: 177-381-20 overall, 129-333-13 MIAC

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jack Osberg
Alma Mater/Year: Augsburg 1962
Record at school (yrs): 49-52 (10 years)
Career record: 49-52 (10 years)
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1235
Coach's e-mail: osbergj@augsburg.edu
Best time/day to reach coach: Mornings

Assistant Coaches (Name/Alma Mater/Year/Responsibilities):
Mark Dean (St. Cloud State '99, defensive backs)
Drew Dehnicke (Minnesota '01, defensive line)
Dusty Froyum (Augsburg '98, defensive line)
Derrin Lamker (Augsburg '98, quarterbacks)
Roger Lipelt (Hamline '65, co-offensive coordinator/running backs)
Drew Privette (Augsburg '89, co-offensive coordinator/receivers/men's athletic recruiting coordinator)
Joe Rhode (Wisconsin-La Crosse '95, linebackers)
Jim Roback (Augsburg '63, defensive coordinator)
Ron Scott (Augsburg '62, assistant head coach/offensive line)
Darrell Wiese (Augsburg '59, assistant coach/assistant men's athletic recruiting coordinator).

Sports Information
Sports Information Dir.: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Home phone: 651-697-1393
SID Fax: 612-330-1780
Press Box phone: 612-330-1737
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2000 Game-by Game Results (Date, Opponent, W/L, Score)
Sept. 9, vs. Wisconsin-Eau Claire, L 17-13
Sept. 16, vs. Carleton College *, W 24-15
Sept. 23, at St. John's University *, L 40-7
Sept. 30, at St. Olaf College *, L 28-6
Oct. 7, vs. University of St. Thomas * (Homecoming), L 16-0
Oct. 14, at Macalester College *, W 20-17
Oct. 21, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 20-13 (2OT)
Oct. 28, at Hamline University *, W 12-7
Nov. 4, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead * (HHH Metrodome), L 37-13
Nov. 11, vs. Bethel College *, L 25-20

2001 Schedule (Date, Opponent, Hone/Away, Time)
Sept. 8, at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Away, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Carleton College *, Away, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. St. John's University *, Home, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. St. Olaf College *, Home, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at University of St. Thomas *, Away, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Macalester College * (Homecoming), Home, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, Away, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Hamline University *, Home, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Bethel College *, Away, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 (Friday), vs. Concordia College-Moorhead *, HHH Metrodome (AUG host team), 1 p.m.

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 3-7
Conference record/finish: 3-6 / 7th
Letterwinners returning: Offense: 27 Defense: 28 Specialty: 2 Total: 57
Letterwinners lost: Offense: 12 Defense: 6 Specialty: 1 Total: 19
Starters Returning: Offense: 3 Defense: 8 Specialty: 4 Total: 15
Roster By Year: 15 seniors, 27 juniors, 24 sophomores, 16 freshmen. TOTAL: 82.

Returning Key Players (Name. Pos.. year. ht.. wt. misc. notes: )
Matt Chappuis (DL, Sr.), 2X All-MIAC (1st team 00, 2nd team 99), 46 tackles (33 solo), 9.0 TFL and 7.0 sacks in 9 games in 2000. Career total of 20.5 sacks is 3rd in school history (record is 28.5); HM Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-America in 2000 (2nd team in 1999).
Brent Peroutka (CB, Sr.), 2X All-MIAC (2nd team in 00 and 99), team's leader in tackles (71, 42 solo), 1 INT, 10 pass break-ups in 2000; 2nd team Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-America in 2000; also team's punter (30.8 yd. avg.).
Mark Johnson (WR, Sr.), 2X All-MIAC (2nd team in 00, HM in 99), team highs of 39 receptions, 635 receiving yards, 5 TDs in 2000.
Shane Gunderson (DB, Sr.) 2nd team All-MIAC in 2000; 55 tackles (40 solo, 5th on team), 1INT, 3 PBU in 2000; HM Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-America in 2000; former Minnesota Twin minor-leaguer (and 1995 Big Ten Player of the Year and All-American in baseball at Minnesota), 28 years old.
John Goodale (QB, Sr.) 3-year reserve QB, 70 completions, 981 passing yards, 6 TDs in Auggie career.
Sammy Gross (WR, Jr.), 12 receptions, 118 yards in 2000.
Dave Sherry (DL, Sr.), 2x All-MIAC (2nd team 2000, HM 1999), 27 tackles (18 solo), 5 sacks in 2000.
Kyle Koch (DL, Jr.), 33 tackles (22 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks in 2000.
Larry Lyden (DB, Sr.), 70 tackles (2nd on team), 54 solo tackles (team leader), 1 INT in 2000.
Luke Wittrock (DB, Sr.), All-MIAC HM, 43 tackles (33 solo), 2 INT, 10 pass break-ups in 2000.
Mitch Theisen (LB, Sr.), 18 tackles (11 solo) in 2000.
Scott Archambault (LB, Sr.), 40 tackles (29 solo) in 2000.
T.J. Bramwell (RB, Jr.), 36 carries, 128 yards, 2 rushing TDs in 2000.
Jamie Smith (WR/KR/PR, Jr.), leading kick (16.7 avg.) and punt (6.4 avg.) returner in 2000.
Bob Eckstrom (OL, Jr.), started eight games at right tackle last season.
Jesse Naughton (OL, Jr.), started one game at right tackle last season, key OL reserve.
Rich Nelson (OL, Jr.), key multiple-position OL backup last season.
Brandon Ward (OL, Sr.), started five games at center, one at right guard last season.

Key Newcomers (Name. Pos.. YR. hometown/HS/last school at: notes):
Dan Resch (QB, Fr., Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake HS), state championship team in 2000.
Ben Hill (QB, Fr., Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska HS), state semifinalist team in 2000.
Joe Starks (FB, Fr., Roseville, Minn./Totino-Grace HS), multiple all-conference, team MVP 2000.
Andy Matzke (DB, Fr., Faribault, Minn.), multiple all-conference, also plays basketball; Faribault HS Athlete of the Year in 2000-01.
Shawn Johnson (WR, Fr., Faribault, Minn.), multiple all-conference.
Tom Stefanacci (DL, So., St. Louis Park, Minn.), transfer from Bemidji State.
Adam Hoffman (OL, Fr., Hastings, Minn.), state All-Star team member.
Joey Cullen (LB, Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.).

Key Losses (Name. Pos.. ht.. wt.. reason absent (grad/transfer/injury/misc. notes):
Andy Howard (DL, 6-0, 225), All-MIAC 1st team 00; 48 tackles (30 solo), 11.0 TFL, 10.5 sacks in 2000; team MVP and Auggie Award winner; 1st team Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-American; FB Gazette 3rd team All-West Region.
Andy Hansen (OL, 6-2, 305), 2X All-MIAC (1st team 00, HM 99); team's Outstanding Player on Offense; HM Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-America team; FB Gazette 3rd team All-West Region.
Brian Warden (RB, 5-5, 185), 2X All-MIAC (1st team 99, HM 00); 180 carries, 654 rushing yards, 4 TD in 2000; 488 career carries (2nd in school history) for 1,790 career yards (4th in school history).
Paul Tetzloff (QB, 6-4, 220), 120 pass completions for 1,339 yards and 6 TDs in 2000; 2nd in school history in every career passing category (818 attempts, 406 completions, 5,144 yards, 36 passing TDs).
Todd Boerboom (OL, 6-1, 260), 3X All-MIAC (2nd team 99, HM 00 and 97), 4-year starter.
Matt Van Alstine (K, 5-9, 180), 2-year varsity kicker, 7-12 FG, 10-12 PAT (31 points) in 2000.
Joe Souba (LB, 6-2, 245), 2-year starter, 67 tackles (3rd on team, 43 solo), 5 sacks in 2000.
Kurt Werk (LB, 5-10, 205), 2-year starter, 60 tackles (4th on team, 35 solo), 1 INT in 2000.
Desman Oakley (WR, 6-3, 190), 3-year starter, 25 receptions, 318 yards (2nd on team) in 2000.
John Rotter (FB, 6-0, 195), 2-year starter, 38 carries, 90 rushing yards; 171 receiving yards in 2000.
Ryan Hupka (TE, 6-5, 225), 2-year starter, 9 receptions, 129 yards in 2000.
Mike Hokanson (OL, 6-4, 260), 2-year starter on offensive line.

Season Outlook and Notes:
MINNEAPOLIS (updated 8/31/01) -- In 1996, Augsburg College finished the football season 3-7, after three straight .500-or-above campaigns. The Auggies graduated seven starters and had several question marks entering the 1997 season.

All the Auggies did in 1997 was win the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, beat MIAC power St. John's in the team's home-opener, and make it to the NCAA Division III national playoffs for the first time in school history.

In 2000, Augsburg finished 3-7, after three straight .500-or-above campaigns. The Auggies graduated 11 starters and had several question marks facing the club entering the 2001 season. And the Auggies' 2001 home-opener is against defending national runner-up St. John's.

Déjà vu all over again in 2001?

Possibly, said head coach Jack Osberg, entering his 11th year as Augsburg's head coach with the third-longest tenure of any coach in the MIAC. Osberg has a 49-52 career record, and his victory total puts him just nine behind Edor Nelson's 58 wins (1947-69) for the most in school history.

"We are coming off a tough-luck schedule last year. We didn't play very consistently last year, and that's what we have to strive for this year, consistency on both offense and defense," Osberg said. "The league is very strong and balanced, which is going to make it a challenge for us."

Offense: Question marks at skill positions, line young but deep
Just three starters return to an Auggie offense that will need to replace all but one of the skill-position players.

The biggest question mark comes at quarterback, where the Auggies will be without a veteran signal-caller for the first time in six seasons. The leading candidate to fill the post is senior Johnny Goodale (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.), a 5-10 scrambler who enters the 2001 campaign after three collegiate starts in his first three years. He's thrown six touchdown passes in his career and has nearly 1,000 passing yards to his credit.

Dave Fransen (Jr., Farmington, Minn.), who saw spot action in four games last season, will compete with Goodale for the starting quarterback role, and John Tieben (Jr., Jordan, Minn.) and Brian Eayrs (So., Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) will also contend for time at quarterback.

Two freshmen recruits with state tournament experience -- Dan Resch (Fr., Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake HS) and Ben Hill (Fr., Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska HS) ­ will also compete at the quarterback spot. Glencoe-Silver Lake won the Class AA state championship last year, beating Minnewaska in the state semifinals.

The lone skill-position starter returning on offense is wide receiver Mark Johnson (Sr., Hastings, Minn.), who has caught 11 touchdowns in his two previous Auggie campaigns after transferring from Division II South Dakota State following his freshman year. He earned second-team All-MIAC honors in 2000 by leading the team with a 16.3 yards-per-reception average and five scores.

Joining Johnson in the receiving corps will be Sammy Gross (Jr., Springfield, Minn.), who made significant strides as a reserve last year, with 12 receptions for a just-under 10 yards-per-catch clip. Jamie Smith (Jr., Oakdale, Minn./Tartan HS), who made his mark as the Auggies' primary kick and punt returner last year, will move from running back to wide receiver this season.

Mike Hill (Jr., Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska HS) has shown promise, and Mark Carlson (So., Staples, Minn./Staples-Motley HS), Cole Bryan (So., Buffalo, Minn.), Jon Boeck (Jr., Braham, Minn.) and Shawn Johnson (Fr., Faribault, Minn.) should also contend for receiving roles.

Tony Warren (Jr., Brainerd, Minn.) moves into the starting role at tight end, after catching four passes for 55 yards in four game appearances as a reserve last season. Joseph Wessbecker (So., Victoria, Minn./Chaska HS), Nathan Erickson (Jr., Pine City, Minn.), Luke Wright (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) and Matt Quale (Fr., McGregor, Minn.) will also contend for time.

More question marks abound at the running back positions, where both starters will need to be replaced. T.J. Bramwell (Jr., Tomah, Wis.) made strong progress last year, where he rushed for 128 yards on 36 carries with two touchdowns in the first significant varsity action of his career.

"T.J. has gotten bigger and stronger, and should come in real big for us at the tailback spot," Osberg said. "I look for him to step up and have a big year."

Ben Paul (So., St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Johnson HS) will also move into a starting running back role. Transfer Nate Moore (Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Richfield HS), who played at Waldorf Junior College (Iowa), will bring experience to the position, as will Chris Boyer (So., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), Nick Sanchez (So., Almond, Wis./Almond-Bancroft HS), who both shined on the junior varsity level last season. Joe Sundt (So., Cokato, Minn./Dassel-Cokato HS), who played hockey last season, will bring speed to the running back spot for the Auggies. Newcomers Joe Starks (Fr., Roseville, Minn./Totino-Grace HS), Pat Lofbloom (Fr., Stillwater, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) and Andrew Chanon (So., Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin School) will also add depth at running back.

The offensive line will be a bit inexperienced on the varsity level, with just two regular starters back. But it's deep, with a corps of strong juniors ready to step into starting roles. The lone senior is left guard Brandon Ward (Sr., Vermillion, Minn./Hastings HS). Jesse Naughton (Jr., Spring Lake Park, Minn.) and Bob Eckstrom (Jr., Elk River, Minn.) split time in a starting role at the right tackle spot. Rich Nelson (Jr., Eagan, Minn.) proved his versatility as a backup at several positions on the line last year, along with Lincoln Langhorst (Jr., Lafayette, Minn./Sibley East HS), James Brue (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS) and Bradley Motl (Jr., Wausau, Wis./Wausau West HS).

"They're all versatile players who can play any position on the line," Osberg said. "There's a lot of flexibility and depth on the line, and those players will come of age for us."

Several sophomores could also contend for offensive line spots, including Mike Davies (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.), Jon Dahlin (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.), Nate Savola (So., Hastings, Minn.), Luke Smith (So., Hastings, Minn.) and Nate Anderson (So., Coon Rapids, Minn.). Eric Olson (Fr., Rush City, Minn.), Adam Hoffman (Fr., Hastings, Minn.) and Ryan Koelsch (Fr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) will add depth.

Defense: Secondary is deep, strength at line and linebackers
Augsburg's defense may be the key to moving up in the MIAC standings this year. Losing just three starters to graduation and returning skill players at virtually every position, the Auggies will aim to improve a corps that was third in the MIAC in total defense (328.78 yards per game allowed) last season.

Keying the interior attack will be All-American candidate Matt Chappuis (Sr., Faribault, Minn.), a three-year starter on the defensive line. He had seven sacks in nine games last season, bringing his career total to 20.5, the third-most in school history. The school record, 28.5, was set by Bob Anderson from 1992-95. Chappuis earned first-team All-MIAC honors, his second all-conference honor of his career.

"He is a very talented player," Osberg said. "We need Matt to step up and be a dominant defensive lineman in the MIAC. He has a great ability to rush the passer and be a strong force on the line."

Joining Chappuis on the defensive line will be returning starters Kyle Koch (Jr., Austin, Minn.) and Dave Sherry (Sr., Hastings. Minn.). Sherry, a second-team All-MIAC player last season, accumulated five sacks last year, while Koch had eight tackles for loss.

Other players who will contend for spots on the line will be returners Derek Kuhlman (Jr., Rush City, Minn.), Nate Bremseth (Jr., Fountain, Minn./Fillmore Central HS) and Sam Harmer (So., Silver Bay, Minn./Kelley HS), along with newcomers Kyle Howard (So., Waseca, Minn.) and Micheal Reger (Jr., Rogers, Minn./Buffalo HS).

Tom Stefanacci (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.), a transfer from Bemidji State, will move to defensive line, and newcomers Joe Cullen (Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), Chike Ochiagha (Fr., Savage, Minn./Holy Angels HS), Jake Renze (Fr., Waseca, Minn.), Ty Closson (Fr., Northfield, Minn.) and Ray McCoy (Fr., St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central HS) will add depth at the position.

The linebacking corps is where Augsburg has its most depth returning, Osberg said, keyed by returning starter Scott Archambault (Sr., Faribault, Minn.). He quietly had a strong season for the Auggies from the strong side last year, with 40 tackles (29 solo) and a team-leading two interceptions. Mitch Theisen (Sr., Waverly, Minn./Buffalo HS) battled injuries last season but still managed 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Brandon Fox (So., Sanborn, Minn./Springfield HS), Adam Leiter (Jr., Coon Rapids, Minn./Blaine HS), Andy Stephenson (Jr., Red Wing, Minn.), Kyle Voelz (So., Morgan, Minn./Cedar Mountain HS) and Tim Stowe (So., Faribault, Minn.) all return at linebacker. Newcomers Jon Kozitza (So., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), a transfer from the University of Minnesota, and John Golnitz (Fr., Green Bay, Wis./Preble HS) will join the linebacking unit.

All four secondary starters return, but it's a group that needs to show some improvement and cut down on the big plays, Osberg noted. The Auggies had just eight interceptions last year while giving up 16 passing touchdowns.
"We've got to stop the big plays, which we didn't do well last year. We need more consistent play in the secondary," Osberg said. "We need big things to happen from these guys."

Brent Peroutka (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) leads the way in the secondary, as a three-year starter. He moved from cornerback to free safety last year and was the team's leader in tackles (71, 42 solo), to go with one interception and 10 pass break-ups. He has earned second-team All-MIAC honors the last two seasons.

Shane Gunderson (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) transferred to Augsburg last season after five years away from college athletics. The Big Ten baseball Player of the Year and All-American in 1995 while at the University of Minnesota, Gunderson was drafted and played five years of minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization. But he returned to college football last year and shined in the Auggie strong safety spot, with 55 tackles (40 solo) and an interception to earn second-team All-MIAC honors.

Both cornerbacks also return -- Luke Wittrock (Sr., Boone, Iowa), who had two interceptions and 10 pass break-ups last year in his first year at Augsburg; and Larry Lyden (Sr., New Brighton, Minn./Irondale HS), who was second on the team in total tackles (70, team-high 54 solo) last season. Chad Scheitel (Jr., Worthington, Minn.) received a medical redshirt last season and will be a candidate for one of the spots, along with Chad Thorp (Sr., New Prague, Minn.).

Backing up the secondary will be a strong corps, including: Andy Peper (Jr., Maplewood, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran HS), Luke Carlson (So., Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato HS), Boe Barlage (So., Farmington, Minn.), Lloyd Booyer (So., Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS), Jake Schmiesing (So., North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), Jon Fahler (Jr., Shakopee, Minn.) Joe Holman (Jr., Springfield, Minn.)and Andy Matzke (Fr., Faribault, Minn.).

Special Teams: New kicker needed, punter and returners are back
Brent Peroutka returns with the most punting experience. The team's primary punter the last two seasons, Peroutka has averaged 31.0 yards per punt through his career. Shane Gunderson and recruit John Golnitz will also contend for the punting role.

Tim Mauseth (Sr., Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) is the leading candidate to fill the kicking role. He was the team's primary kickoff kicker last year, his first year at Augsburg after transferring from Wisconsin-River Falls. Mike Pontius (Sr., Champlin, Minn./Anoka HS) will also contend for the placekicking spot.

Jaime Smith will be the likely candidate to return both kicks and punts for the Auggies. He averaged 16.7 yards per kickoff return and 6.4 yards per punt return in 2000. Gunderson and T.J. Bramwell also had extensive experience at kickoff returns last year. Offensive lineman Rich Nelson returns as the team's starting long snapper.